What’s Your Reputation Worth?

Posted: 04/05/2015 by
Cox Purtell

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string(3862) "Reputation. It’s a word that crops up a lot, certainly in our line of work. Whether you like it or not, you have one. So who is in control of it? I think we all know the answer to that one…and if you don’t, I’d hazard a guess your reputation may need a bit of work.
Character and reputation go hand in hand; who you really are and who others believe you to be. Business is competitive - you can't guarantee the opportunity to prove your character directly, so you had better make sure you are happy with what your reputation reflects.
Think of a name, be it a professional contact or a personal acquaintance – chances are you have an opinion on what their reputation is. It is something we are constantly building, should always be aware of and must strive to protect.
Nobody is perfect – nor should they claim to be. What's so interesting about perfection? It's all a work in progress. In the grand scheme of things, don't we all want to feel respected, and even more importantly, that the respect has been earned in the right way?
Your reputation is your personal brand, and you are the ambassador. So what measures do you need to take?
Trust
I cannot stress this enough. Trust can take years to build but only seconds to tear apart. We derive a great sense of comfort from having complete faith in another person. Likewise, those who have had that trust broken know that it can cause irreparable damage. Never give your customers, clients or colleagues a reason not to trust you - you may never get it back.
Honesty
It's that same old story; “honesty is the best policy.” You've heard it a million times - so start listening. If you've messed up, own it. If you disagree, voice it. If you want something, ask for it. Think bigger picture here, yes the truth can be scary but people will respect you a lot more for it in the long run.
Reliability
Don’t be that person, you know what I'm talking about. The “Don’t call them, they’ll flake”, the “They've let me down too many times” or the “Nah they’re all talk.” Be the person people want to call. Unreliable is a word that sticks like glue, so don't let it stick to you.
Effort
At the very least - try. It’s the least we can do. It’s a simple fact of life that not everything works out like the fairytale vision in our heads, but it says a lot about someone’s character if they are willing to give it a go, to work hard and be able to reflect knowing they gave their all. Always go that little step further and do just one more.
Gratitude
Say thank you. This might sound basic, and yes we were all taught this when we were about a foot tall, but there’s a good reason why. Not everyone remembers that manners should still apply in business. Have consideration for the time people spend with you, the conversations they engage in, the guidance they provide and the support that often carries you along without you even realising it. You’ll live a much poorer life if you cannot recognise where a thank you is due.
As Richard Branson said, “Your brand name is only as good as your reputation.” But what does Richard Branson know? …said no one ever.
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Reputation. It’s a word that crops up a lot, certainly in our line of work. Whether you like it or not, you have one. So who is in control of it? I think we all know the answer to that one…and if you don’t, I’d hazard a guess your reputation may need a bit of work.

Character and reputation go hand in hand; who you really are and who others believe you to be. Business is competitive – you can’t guarantee the opportunity to prove your character directly, so you had better make sure you are happy with what your reputation reflects.

Think of a name, be it a professional contact or a personal acquaintance – chances are you have an opinion on what their reputation is. It is something we are constantly building, should always be aware of and must strive to protect.

Nobody is perfect – nor should they claim to be. What’s so interesting about perfection? It’s all a work in progress. In the grand scheme of things, don’t we all want to feel respected, and even more importantly, that the respect has been earned in the right way?

Your reputation is your personal brand, and you are the ambassador. So what measures do you need to take?

Trust

I cannot stress this enough. Trust can take years to build but only seconds to tear apart. We derive a great sense of comfort from having complete faith in another person. Likewise, those who have had that trust broken know that it can cause irreparable damage. Never give your customers, clients or colleagues a reason not to trust you – you may never get it back.

Honesty

It’s that same old story; “honesty is the best policy.” You’ve heard it a million times – so start listening. If you’ve messed up, own it. If you disagree, voice it. If you want something, ask for it. Think bigger picture here, yes the truth can be scary but people will respect you a lot more for it in the long run.

Reliability

Don’t be that person, you know what I’m talking about. The “Don’t call them, they’ll flake”, the “They’ve let me down too many times” or the “Nah they’re all talk.” Be the person people want to call. Unreliable is a word that sticks like glue, so don’t let it stick to you.

Effort

At the very least – try. It’s the least we can do. It’s a simple fact of life that not everything works out like the fairytale vision in our heads, but it says a lot about someone’s character if they are willing to give it a go, to work hard and be able to reflect knowing they gave their all. Always go that little step further and do just one more.

Gratitude

Say thank you. This might sound basic, and yes we were all taught this when we were about a foot tall, but there’s a good reason why. Not everyone remembers that manners should still apply in business. Have consideration for the time people spend with you, the conversations they engage in, the guidance they provide and the support that often carries you along without you even realising it. You’ll live a much poorer life if you cannot recognise where a thank you is due.

As Richard Branson said, “Your brand name is only as good as your reputation.” But what does Richard Branson know? …said no one ever.

Thanks Hepa! Love getting feedback on these, glad you enjoyed it..
This topic is something I think we all need to be more conscious of than ever – you can’t get away with anything these days and you’re naive if you think you can!